CHOLANAIKAN

CHOLANAIKKANS are inhabitants of the Malappuram District. Cholanaikkans are divided into ten territorial groups, each one having a particular area demarcated by natural boundaries. The territories are known as Karimpuzha, panapuzha, Kuppan maele, Pucappara, Thalipuzha, Korampuzha, Alakkal, Amblimaele, Olikkatodu and Manjakkadavu. They speak among themselves. It does not have a script. Some of them speak Malayalam. In their dialect, we can distinguish words from Kannada, Tamil and Malayalam. The forest is the major economic resource for the Cholanaikkan community. Foraging, fishing and hunting are the three major activities. Rice and other commodities are available to them through exchange of minor forest produce at the Girijan Co-operative society. Fishing is seasonal. They are able to fish mostly during summer season only. Forest produce such as dammer, cardamom, ginger, pepper, turmeric, astringent fruit, medicinal roots and barks, oilseeds and honey are collected for barter. According to the 2011 census, their population can be estimated to be 124.